My Dubai Adventures & Must Visit Places

Dubai Dubai Dubai…what a place. I have just come back from a pretty epic trip to this place (although my Instagram is still kind of there lbh). Dubai is such a strange one for me, I never had any real pressing desire to visit the place. Then one of my closest friends moved out there and since that I have been three times this year. The weather means its the perfect winter sun escape…because you know me. A few months without sunshine or swimwear and I have a meltdown!

But that said I have loved every trip I have made to Dubai, I have always had the best time ever and have realised that it has so much to offer and explore. I never wanted to do the typical tourist Dubai, so always aim to find something different each time I go. I think my last trip pretty much topped them all. We explored, we got in the car and drove to near Oman, Abu Dhabi I always get messages about my trips to Dubai and where I go so I thought I would do a little round up of my favourite places.

Now no trip of mine would be complete without an epic few brunches and delicious coffee stops right! I plan most of my trips around brunch spots (sad but true) but for me food is life!

Now my utmost favourite brunch spot ever is Culinary Boutique this beautiful little cafe is picture perfect Instagram heaven. Marble tables, bright lighting and OH my word the food. The portion sizes are huge, coffee mugs the size of my head and it tastes insane. I go in when I go here. Think poached eggs, french toast the lot. A must visit for pure brunch goals.

Boston Lane Dubai – Coffee, toasties and all the plants. What more could you want in life right?! This little gem is so damn beautiful. It has pop up shops think furniture, clothing, cactus shops and a delicious coffee spot which sells healthy snacks, cakes and toasties. Dream.

My friend Amber is a Pilates instructor in Dubai and she teaches at Sol Pilates Dubai,so to balance out the excessive brunching we also did a hella of a lot of Pilates. I am probably biased but Amber is an amazing Pilates instructor and anyone based or visiting Dubai should all go to her classes! And Sol Pilates Dubai is a beautiful studio, super slick, modern with all the equipment you could ever need or want.

On the days we weren’t eating or doing Pilates we decided to explore a bit further out. This time we went for a day at Zaya Nurai Island which is honestly heaven on earth. This club private island is based just outside Abu Dhabi. We went for the day and explored the beach club, we spent the day chilling at the smokin pineapple which was the most beautiful beach club I have ever been too. Combined with crystal clear waters and hammocks and swings in the sea we could of been anywhere in the world. With multiple restaurants and pools, water sports and hotel/villas on offer this beautiful island is a true slice of paradise.

I love an adventure day, nothing makes me happier than embracing my inner Dory the explorer and exploring nature/outdoors. So on the final day we decided to get up super early and head down to Hatta Dam and go Kayaking in their fresh water dam. It was between Oman and Dubai so about an hour and a halfs drive from Dubai but SO worth the drive. We got there at around 9.30/10am which was perfect as it was before it got super hot and we were the only people there. The dam was huge and stunning, like take your breath away stunning. I felt so small kayaking around the dam and it was one of my best experiences/memories from my Dubai trips ever. These photos don’t do it any justice but trust me when I say it was out of this world beautiful. We kayaked for a few hours and explored the whole dam for 60 AED each.

Then from past Dubai trips a few of my other favourites:

Healthy Brunches (all very Instagrammable!!)

Comptoir 102 for a beautiful healthy spot, amazing food, beautiful furniture store and general beautiful place. Fashion, jewellery and organic grocery. This place has it all.

The Farm this little spot of nature is the perfect dining experience. You are in the middle of a beautiful garden and lake. The food was ok but nothing to write home about, I got poached eggs and it was tasty but nothing exciting. Top marks for location and ambience though.

Harpers Bazaar Cafe The Design District the design district is seriously cool. Think modern, sleek and minimal. We stumbled across this absolute GEM. The most beautiful cafe I have ever been into. We were the only ones that were there and the food, attention to detail and general decor was insane.

Paddleboarding

Kite Beach – you know me I LOVE a paddleboard. So I seriously suggest this one, go rent a paddleboard for a few hours, explore the sea with views of Dubai. Great tanning and exploring opportunity. Oh and a damn good workout as well!